My friend in China was invloved in internet business with a US internet company. Since the US company refused to pay him because he does not have a SSN, he then borrowed my SSN (I'm a 2nd year F1 student) and got paid by the US company.

Now I received 1099-Misc with 10,000 income from his business in box 3 (Other income). The first question is, will this hurt my F-1 status? I don't know anything about his business and I'm not part of it either. I just give him my SSN so that he can get paid.

Secondly, how should I file my tax return for this income? Should I treat it as Prizes/Awards and pay full tax on it?

Thanks a million!

AtlantaTaxExpert

You may have pushed freindship too far, because you have made yourself liable for at least the income taxes due on the $10,000.

Further, you are in violation of your F-1 visa.

That said, you MUST declare the income, probably on Schedule C with Form 1040NR, and pay the taxes. NOT claiming the income and not paying the taxes will get you in more trouble than the violation of your visa restrictions.

Hope you can get the money from your friend.